Itchy sore vulva... what is it?!

[Balletgirl1]

For the last 3 months on and off, I have had a itchy, irritated and sore vulva and vagina. There is some redness on my vulva and what looks like a mild rash, my GP just called it irritation. Everything seems kinda dry and a little flaky

I made an appointment with my GP who diagnosed me with thrush confidently and prescribed me Fluconazole and duo action from canneston. My symptoms went away but returned not long after. I went back to my GP who did a swap for thrush which came back negative.

At this point I felt kinda worried and wanted to get things ruled out. I went to a sexual health clinic and had a pretty comprehensive screening and everything thing came back negative. This wasn’t too surprising because of my limited sexual experience(I’ve never had penetrative sex but I know some things can be spread by any sexual contact so I was concerned that I could have herpes or HPV). Although, I was told these are diagnosed through appearance and only tested for if suspected.

However, the nurse said everything looked really normal (my one bump was a blocked hair follicle)and not like typical thrush, contact dermatitis or a any other skin condition, which I had expected it could be. Also my thrush swap was ‘inconclusive’. She seemed a bit stumped but was definitely trying to figure it out which I appreciated! One of her colleagues also examined me.

I’m feeling a bit desperate now and honestly a little down because the itching is keeping me up at night! I’m going to take some more Fluconazole as prescribed to me at the sexual health clinic, as they want to rule thrush out. Then I’ll go back in a few weeks as she recommended, if I get no relief. I just don’t want them to think I’m a hypochondriac when all seems normal! Definitely not imagining this though

Does any one have any idea what this could be? as I don’t feel I’m responding to the thrush treatment now that successfully. Not knowing the cause of something stresses me out so any suggestions welcome. Thank you in advance! Sorry for the TMI

(For context I’m 22 so not menopausal symptoms)

[Balletgirl1]

Thank you for the comments!! I’m definitely taking them all on board. I have been going to the sexual health clinic and both the nurses I’ve seen have been pretty stumped and all my cultures and come back as normal. I’m going to keep going because I need this to stop!!

[Balletgirl1]

Mummymummums would strep be something the sexual health team would no to test for, do you think?

[Lisette1940]

I don't know the answer to that one OP but just to add that the thrush and creams were causing dermatitis which was allowing the thrush back again - a vicious itchy circle. I had to use fluconazole orally and trimovate topically and that calmed the skin and the thrush didn't come back. But I can't have hot baths even in plain water or the heat triggers thrush.

I hope you find the answer soon. I had my skin problem since I was a teen and it's only relatively recently that a doctor cracked the cycle.

[Northernsoullover]

ballet one thing that was noted when I had swabs is that my Strep B count was off the charts (ok so really high) I forgot to mention I had an iud at the time so I had that taken out.

[MrsCasares]

Just thinking outside of the box, but diabetes can cause vulval itching (usually type 2).

[Mummymummums]

Ballet - I'm not sure but they didn't for me routinely. I'd had many tests before a GP requested the GBS test on the off chance and it was the answer.

[Balletgirl1]

Update! Thought this may be useful to someone

I had an appointment with a Vulva specialist today at the sexual health clinic and she suspects two different things are to blame.

1. Seborrhoeic dertamtitis, she explained it as the immune system overacting to yeast despite normal levels on the skin, given ketoconazole cream. Explains skin irritations.
   

1. Low oestrogen, I’m on the combined pill for my heavy periods apparently this can trigger this. This may explain why the swabs hurt so much. I’ve been given a cream for this too.
   

Really hope this does the trick! Thank you to everyone for the help 🙏

[KLTN]

@Balletgirl1i know your post was a while back but just wondering whether these treatments worked for you, and whether you could share the name of the second cream you were given? I'm suffering from an issue which sounds v similar! Thank you x

[H36W]

I’m suffering similar symptoms too @Balletgirl1 did you ever find the solution?